The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1887-01-07
CHAPTER w.
DISGRACE.

Harry Glen's perfect self-conplacency did
not mott feather when the vic.ors returned
to camp flushed with their triumph. which,
in the eyes Of those inexperienced three
months men, had the dimensions Of Water
loo. He did not know that in proportion as
they magniicd their own exploit, SO was the
depth Of their contempt felt for those of their
comrades who had declined to share the
perils and tho honors Of the expedition with
them. lie was too thoroughly satisfied with
himself and his motives to even imagine that
any one could have just cause for complaint
at anything lie chose to do.
This kept him from understanding or APP
preciating the force of the biting innucndoes
and sarcas,ns which We're made to his very
faceoand he had stood SO aloof from all that
there was nobody who cared to take the
friendly trouble of telling him how free the
camp conversation was making with his
teputatioN.
He could not help, however, understanding,
that in some way he had lost caste with tho
regiment; but he serenely attributed this to
mean-spirited jealousy Of the superior adj
vantages ho was enjoying, and it only made
him more anxious for the coming of the ti,ne
when he could "cut the whole mob of beg
gals," as Ned Burnleigh phrasetl it.
few days more would end tho regiments
term of service, and he readily obtained per-
mission to return home in advance.
The first real blow his confidence received
was when he walked down the ono principal
street of Sardis, and was forced to n rercep-
ton of the fact that there was an absence Of
that ELUSIVE warmth with which tue Sardis
people had ever before welcomed back their
young townsman, Of whose good looks and
gentlemanliness they had always been proud.
Now people looked at hin, in curious way.
They turned to whisper to each other, with
sarcastic smiles and knowing winks, as he
came into view, and they did not come for
ward to offer him their hands as of old. It
astonsl,ed him that nobody alluded to tho
company or to anything that had happened
toit
Turning ut length from the main street, he
entered the lateral ono leading to his home
AS nc did SO, he heard one boy call out to
another, in that piercing treble which boys
employ in making their confidential commune
cations to one another, across O street:
Say, did you know that Hank Glen'd
got back: And they say he looks pale yct.'
HAS he" the reply came in high falsctto,
Paipably tinged with that fine scorn Of a
healthy boy for anything which does not ex-
actiy square with his young highncss' ideas.
Come back to his NANNY, eh9 We'll, it's a
P1tV She ever let him go away from her.
nope shell keep him with her now. lie don't
seem 10 10 well out of reach of her apron
strings"
lhe whole truth flashed upon him. Envious
o'ies mad slandered him at home as Il coward.
4, "e walked onward in a furry Of rage. The
thought that no had done anything to deserve
.''n:'sm could not obtrude itself between the
'''ntS OF his triple-plated armor of selfcstcem.
~. swelling contempt for his village critics
flushed his heart.
J., eptetui little-inintletl, country boobies, "
!, ' Sa"' to himself, with an impnticnt shake OF
=: neal, as it to adjust his hair. whicl, was
~. us "su'! sign of excitement; "thcy'vc ALWAYS
. natc" me because was above them. They
saSe advantage of the least opportunity ia
s"ow their mean jealousy"
y. Wr moments pause: "But don't care.
80 nttie rather have their dislike than their
S So: "'l!: It'll save me lot of trouble in
IT,. .'g polite to lot of ours that l despisc.
tau gong to leave this duh little hurg any.
c rE"; as soon as | can get away. I'm going ia
Ti'a..,' and lie with Ned Buru,eIsl,
= ,,as more life there in day than here il,
c.,s After all there's nobody here that
-and-Itacl,el."
this +e", ''am ot thought introduced itself at
Hi. ha.. remembrance Of his betrothed.
arainst . " aa He stopped, and leaning
metltat;",, s'laoy silver maple began anew a
freonemtS'' .: mat mad occupied his mind very
'u ~ OH apple tree on the hill ton ~N'
tnere had been for him Int Itt,o ~ .,,..
thu nn exatation which made that n;aht
s ,Le one supreme one in Rachels o~;sta,. sa.
blen,'o .1c rapture of gratified pride and love
n,,'.,s ea with the radiant moonlight and t,,e
N'1e tragranCe of the flowers ~. - ~.